Newark, NJ
Schools
BREAKING: Newark Archdiocese Permanently Closing 10 Schools In Three Counties BREAKING: Newark Archdiocese Permanently Closing 10 Schools In Three Counties
Breaking: Newark Archdiocese Permanently Closing 10 Schools In Three Counties The Archdiocese of Newark said Thursday that it is closing a number of its schools in Bergen, Essex and Union counties -- and consolidating them into others -- at the end of the current school year. Factors considered in the closings included "declining enrollment numbers and increasing and unsustainable dependence on archdiocesan funding over time," the archdiocese said. "Consideration also was given to geographic locations and proximity to nearby matched archdiocesan schools that will accommodate new students." The schools being closed are: Academy of St. Therese of Lisieux, Cresskill …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Elizabeth, NJ
Police & Fire
Newark Man, 69, Used Bogus Handgun In Springfield Bank Robbery, Authorities Say Newark Man, 69, Used Bogus Handgun In Springfield Bank Robbery, Authorities Say
Newark Man, 69, Used Bogus Handgun In Springfield Bank Robbery, Authorities Say A 69-year-old Newark man was charged in the robbery of a Springfield bank last month, authorities said Saturday. David R. Vaughan, 69, was wearing a white face mask when he walked into the Morris Avenue Bank of America and pulled a black handgun from his backpack, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Springfield Police Chief John Cook said. Vaughan demanded money from the teller then fled the scene in a Toyota Corolla, Ruotolo and Cook said. Bank workers activated and alarm, which brought Springfield police to the scene. Authorities later identified Vaughan as a suspect a…

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by Cecilia Levine
Elizabeth, NJ
Obituaries
'Power Couple': North Jersey Soulmates Die 12 Days Apart From Coronavirus 'Power Couple': North Jersey Soulmates Die 12 Days Apart From Coronavirus
'Power Couple': North Jersey Soulmates Die 12 Days Apart From Coronavirus To put it simply, Sid and Mikki Schneider were soulmates. He was a tennis pro, she was a personal shopper. The two met 30 years ago through mutual friends and finally tied the knot in 1999. They both came from previous marriages and both had their own children. They each had their own hard times -- Mikki was widowed at 31, and then divorced from a second marriage.  But Sid and Mikki were each other's happily ever after, their family members say. Together, Sid and Mikki Schneider lived and died a power couple — just 12 days apart, both of coronavirus.  "They say that true love never die…

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by Cecilia Levine
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Police & Fire
Long Valley Motorcyclist, 33, Killed In Sussex County Crash Long Valley Motorcyclist, 33, Killed In Sussex County Crash
Long Valley Motorcyclist, 33, Killed In Sussex County Crash A 33-year-old Long Valley motorcyclist was killed in a Sussex County crash over the weekend, authorities say. A 40-year-old man from Springfield was headed southbound in his Mazda on Wawayanda Road when he collided with the northbound motorcyclist in a group of about 20 others, around 2:45 p.m. Sunday, the NJHerald reports. The section of Wawayanda Road between the Barry Lakes Clubhouse and Burgher Road was closed until about 8 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. Police did not release the name of the motorcyclist or the Mazda driver. The crash remains under investigation, authoritie…

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by Valerie Musson
Rutherford, NJ
News
FINALLY: Bergen's First Krispy Kreme Sets Grand Opening Date FINALLY: Bergen's First Krispy Kreme Sets Grand Opening Date
Finally: Bergen's First Krispy Kreme Sets Grand Opening Date The long-awaited grand opening of Bergen County’s first Krispy Kreme shop is just around the corner. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with East Rutherford Mayor Jeffrey Lahullier has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10 at the new location — 51 Route 17 in East Rutherford’s Liberty Commons. The new shop will make its world-renowned donuts on-site, occupying 3,200 square-feet of space with a drive-thru. The Bergen location marks the fourth Krispy Kreme shop to open in the Garden State; others can be found in Jersey City, Springfield and Collingswood. The new shop will make its world-r…

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by Valerie Musson
Elizabeth, NJ
Obituaries
Noah Keppler, 23, Of Springfield, 'A Gentle Giant' Noah Keppler, 23, Of Springfield, 'A Gentle Giant'
Noah Keppler, 23, Of Springfield, 'A Gentle Giant' Noah Robert Keppler of Springfield died Thursday. He was 23 years old.  Born in Summit, he lived his whole life in Springfield, graduating from Jonathan Dayton High School. He then graduated from Union County Vo-Tech in 2015 and began working as T&C Shell in Springfield as a gas pump attendant and mechanic. At the time of his death, he was working as a truck driver for Galluzzo Brothers in Newark.  He was remembered as a "gentle giant" and a wise, sweet young man who was kind and compassionate. He loved animals, fishing, "muddin" and working on projects. He enjoyed striking up…

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by Paul Milo
Elizabeth, NJ
Police & Fire
Small Amount Of Depleted Uranium Found At Springfield Synagogue Small Amount Of Depleted Uranium Found At Springfield Synagogue
Small Amount Of Depleted Uranium Found At Springfield Synagogue A small amount of uranium that was used as a teaching aid at a Springfield synagogue was safely removed Tuesday morning, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said.  The marble-sized fragment of depleted uranium was accidentally left behind by a local educator in a meeting room at Temple Sha'arey Shalom on South Springfield Avenue. Springfield police and fire were called to the temple shortly before 9 a.m. on a report of a potentially hazardous substance. The prosecutor's office and the county HazMat team soon joined them.  The uranium emitted an extremely low level of radiation, w…

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by Paul Milo
Elizabeth, NJ
Police & Fire
Union Man Went On Huge Burglary, Theft Spree Across Union County: Prosecutor Union Man Went On Huge Burglary, Theft Spree Across Union County: Prosecutor
Union Man Went On Huge Burglary, Theft Spree Across Union County: Prosecutor Authorities say a man from Union committed several property crimes in Union and  a half-doze other Union and Essex county municipalities within just a few weeks.  A new unit in the Union County Prosecutor's Office, the Intelligence-Driven Investigation and Prosecution Unit, worked with local police in charging Christopher Ransom of the Vauxhall section of the township with 37 counts of burglary, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and related offenses.  The investigation began Sept. 26, when a red pickup truck was stolen on the 700 block of Boulevard in Keni…

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by Paul Milo
Newark, NJ
Lifestyle
Olive Garden Restaurant In Livingston Closing Down Olive Garden Restaurant In Livingston Closing Down
Olive Garden Restaurant In Livingston Closing Down The Olive Garden restaurant on Eisenhower Parkway in Livingston will be shutting down after the Labor Day weekend, the eatery announced.  "We are closing permanently Sept. 3," read a chalkboard sign at the restaurant, which invited guests to visit the pasta chain's locations in Wayne, Rockaway and Springfield.  An employee confirmed the restaurant's closing. A spokesperson for the restaurant's corporate parent, Florida-based Darden Restaurants, could not immediately be reached.  The chain, known for its large portions and various all-you-can-eat promotions,  boasts 866 …

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by Paul Milo
Elizabeth, NJ
News
$364K Cash 5 Winner Sold In Springfield $364K Cash 5 Winner Sold In Springfield
$364K Cash 5 Winner Sold In Springfield A Jersey Cash 5 ticket for the Sunday drawing good for a $364,760 jackpot was sold in Springfield, lottery officials said.  The big winner was sold at Dave's Sweet Shop, 230 Mountain Ave.  The ticket matched all five numbers. The winning numbers were: 01, 19, 21, 30 and 41 and the XTRA number was: 05. 

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by Paul Milo
Elizabeth, NJ
Lifestyle
Pastrami On Rye? We Got You Covered! 5 Sandwich Spots To Try In Union County Pastrami On Rye? We Got You Covered! 5 Sandwich Spots To Try In Union County
Pastrami On Rye? We Got You Covered! 5 Sandwich Spots To Try In Union County Traced back to 18th century England, the sandwich in all its iterations can satisfy most any palate.  There are the classics: turkey and Swiss, tuna salad, pastrami on rye and chicken parm. Then there are the specialties: grilled veggies, smoked turkey and brie, the fat sandwich.  New Jersey has them all. Here are five places in Union County where you can find your favorite or try something new. Cioffi’s, 762 Mountain Ave., Sprinfield. Founder Antonio Cioffi arrived in America with $20 in his pocket in 1957 and fulfilled his American Dream. Yes, they do pizza, but you’d be giving Cioffi’…

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by Vira Mamchur Schwartz
Lyndhurst, NJ
Obituaries
Jessica Veniero Of Lyndhurst, 35, Was Loving Mom, Caring Pet Groomer Jessica Veniero Of Lyndhurst, 35, Was Loving Mom, Caring Pet Groomer
Jessica Veniero Of Lyndhurst, 35, Was Loving Mom, Caring Pet Groomer Longtime Lyndhurst resident Jessica A. Veniero died July 23 surrounded by her family and friends. She was 35 years old. Born in Secaucus, Jessica owned a pet grooming company and has always been an animal lover. She is predeceased by her son, Matthew, who died May 2019, and her mom, Julianna Gray Veniero. Jessica is survived by her "love" Mark Krajewski, and her son, Michael; father, Salavatore Veniero; and brothers, Salvatore Veniero and Donald MacMillan.  Services were held at the Nazare Memorial Home in Lyndhurst. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jessica’s memory can be made to t…

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by Cecilia Levine